JapanSugoi

The popular Enoshima Electric Railway also known as Enoden 江の電, has over 100 years of history.  The train line links the central Shonan area, Kamakura and Fujisawa, a short distance of approximately 10 kilometers.

The Enoden runs among the residential areas, literary 1.5-2 feet away from houses. When it reaches Shichiri gahama in Shonan area, you see the Pacific Ocean right below your nose through the train window. Along the scenic route you can enjoy the changing scenery of mountains, beaches, tunnels and changing into a streetcar. The ancient city of Kamakura at one end of the line is a city with 800 years of history with famous Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines such as Kamakura’s Great Buddha, Hase Kannon temple, Tsurugaoka Hachiman-gu shrine and Zeniarai Benten. You can also find art museums and popular spots along the historical streets.

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Hakodate is a quaint Japanese fishing port town in Northern Japan known for it’s squid culture and every August they celebrate the squid with citizens doing the Ika-odori (Squid Dance) as part of the Hakodate Port Festival.

Back in 2009, the town was bizarrely promoted in Japanese tourism videos that featured alien squid invading Hakodate by hijacking a giant mechanical squid fighting landmarks turned into giant robots that are called into action to defend the city.

If you’re heading to Northern Japan, you gotta visit Ogimachi 白川郷 the largest village and main attraction of Shirakawa-go. Declared a UNESCO world heritage site in 1995, the village is home to several dozen well preserved gassho-zukuri houses, some of which are more than 250 years old.

The picturesque houses can have up to 5 floors  covered with the thick rice straw roofs.  Some houses are museums while some have been converted to Japanese style inns (ryokans).

If you’re visiting Hokkaido this fall check out Kofuku Train Station 幸福駅 which is located 30 minutes south of the city of  Obihiro 帯広  in Tokachi 十勝支庁  sub prefecture. The name Kofuku means ‘Happiness’ and although the JNR Hiroo railway line does not run there anymore (it did from 1956-1987), the single building railway station, sign and train remain as tourist attractions for the city especially as a “lucky” location for weddings and a place to buy  “good luck tickets” or stick up your happiness requests.

Kofuku station videos

If you’re planning a summer trip to Okinawa this year, one place you might want to visit is Taketomi Island (Taketomijima 竹富島).  This picturesque little island located in the Yaeyama District of Okinawa is a 10 minute boat ride away from Ishigaki island.  This island is home to about 300 people living in an area of 6.32 km².

As the island is quite circular in shape, everywhere is within walking distance.  Taketomi is known for its traditional Ryukyuan houses, stone walls, and sandy streets, making it popular with tourists.  Popular tourist activities include relaxing at Kondoi and Kaiji beaches, snorkeling, taking an ox-cart ride through the village, and simply walking or biking around the island while enjoying the quaintness of the village and the natural scenery.  Read more...

Imposing Hiroshima Castle 広島城 (aka Carp Castle 鯉城) is a castle in Hiroshima, Japan which was the home of the Daimyō (feudal lord) of the Hiroshima han. Originally constructed in the 1590s, the castle was destroyed in the atomic bombing in 1945.  It was rebuilt in 1958, a replica of the original which now serves as a museum of Hiroshima’s history prior to World War II.  Definitely a place worth visiting if you travel to Hiroshima.

The serenely peaceful Sagano Bamboo Forest in Arashiyama 嵐山 is a located on the western outskirts of Kyoto, Japan.   It is a place noted for its scenic beauty and tranquility. The walking paths cut through the bamboo groves which are particularly attractive when there is a light wind and the tall bamboo stalks sway gently back and forth.

A good way for foreign tourists to get around and see the sights of Tokyo is to take the famous and popular Hato Bus sightseeing tours.   Tourists take the bright yellow Hato Buses all over Tokyo who half day and whole day tours.

Pretty and talented Japanese actress Kou Shibasaki 柴咲 コウ features in this TV commercial for ANA All Nippon Airlines promoting Okinawa as a holiday destination.  Have you made summer holiday plans yet?

Picturesque Kume Island (kumejima) in Okinawa is an 11km long coral sand clay and a natural geometric rock formation. The island is  30 mins by air and 3 and a half hours by ferry west of the main island of Okinawa. There are beautiful beaches here, especially the famous Eef beach.  The above photo taken from a para glider.